Paksha (Sanskrit: पक्ष), refers to a fortnight in a month of the Hindu lunar calendar.[1][2] Literally meaning "side", a paksha is the period either side of the Full Moon Day (Purnima). A lunar month in the Hindu calendar has two fortnights, and begins with the New moon, (Amavasya). The lunar days are called tithis and each month has 30 tithis, which may vary from 20 – 27 hours. The first fortnight between New Moon Day and Full Moon Day is called Shukla Paksha, the period of the brightening moon, and the second fortnight of the month is called Krishna Paksha, or the period of the fading moon.[3][1]
Contents |
| Shukla Paksha | Krishna Paksha |
|---|---|
| 1. Prathama | 1. Prathama |
| 2. Dwitiya | 2. Dwitiya |
| 3. Tritiya | 3. Tritiya |
| 4. Chaturthi | 4. Chaturthi |
| 5. Panchami | 5. Panchami |
| 6. Shashti | 6. Shashti |
| 7. Saptami | 7. Saptami |
| 8. Ashtami | 8. Ashtami |
| 9. Navami | 9. Navami |
| 10.Dashami | 10.Dashami |
| 11.Ekadashi | 11.Ekadashi |
| 12.Dwadashi | 12.Dwadashi |
| 13.Thrayodashi | 13.Thrayodashi |
| 14.Chaturdashi | 14.Chaturdashi |
| 15.Pournima | 15. Amavasya |
Shukla paksha refers to the bright lunar fortnight or waxing moon in the Hindu calendar. Shukla (Sanskrit: शुक्ल) is Sanskrit for "white".
Shukla Paksha is a period of 15 days, which begins on the Shukla Amavasya (New Moon) day and culminating Poornima (Full Moon) day and is considered auspicious.
Numerous festivals are held during this period, including the Navratri festivals, most importantly Chaitra Navratri and Ashvin Navratri.
| Day | Tithi | Festival | Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Day | Pratipada | Bali Pratipada, Govardhan Puja | Kartik |
| 2nd Day | Dvitiya | Bhaibeej | Kartik |
| 3rd Day | Tritiya | Teej | Bhadrapad |
| 3rd Day | Tritiya | Akshaya Tritiya | Vaishakha |
| 4th Day | Chaturthi | Ganesh Chaturthi | Bhadrapada |
| 4th Day | Chaturthi | Ganesh Jayanti | Magha |
| 5th Day | Panchami | Nuakhai | Bhadrapad |
| 5th Day | Panchami | Vivaha Panchami | Margashirsha |
| 6th Day | Shasthi | Sitalsasthi | Jyestha |
| 9th Day | Navami | Rama Navami | Chaitra |
| 10th Day | Dasami | Vijayadashami | Ashvin |
| 11th Day | Ekadasi | Shayani Ekadashi | Asadha |
| 11th Day | Ekadashi | Vaikunta Ekadashi | Margashirsha |
| 14th Day | Chaturdashi | Samvatsari | Bhadrapada |
| 15th Day (Full Moon) | Poornima | Guru Purnima | Ashada |
Krishna paksha refers to the dark lunar fortnight or waning moon in the Hindu calendar. Krishna (Sanskrit: कृष्ण) is Sanskrit for "dark". Krishna Paksha is a period of 15 days, which begins on the (Full Moon) day (Purnima), culminating on (New Moon) day (Amasvasya). Krishna Paksha is considered inauspicious, as the moon loses light during this period.[4][5]
| Day | Tithi | Festival | Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th Day | Chaturthi | Karva Chauth | Kartik |
| 8th Day | Ashtami | Krishna Janmashtami | Bhadrapada |
| 11th Day | Ekadasi | Vaikunta Ekadasi | Margashirsha |
| 13th Day | Triodasi | Dhanteras | Ashvin |
| 14th Day | Chaturdashi | Maha Shivaratri | Maagha |
| 14th Day | Chaturdashi | Naraka Chaturdashi (Diwali) | Ashvin |